Extradition, Immigration and Asset Seizure: Some of the Current Legal Challenges Facing Russian Clients

Date: Thursday 19 March 2015

Time: 6.15pm – 7.45pm

Location: 54 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LS

Venue: Doughty Street Chambers

Speakers:

CPD: 1.5 CPD Points – SRA/BSB Accredited

If Tolstoy was reading today’s headlines, he may well have taken an unhappy Russia as his theme: “All happy States are alike. Each unhappy State is unhappy in its own way”, perhaps? With oil prices seemingly hovering between $50 and $60 a barrel, international sanctions biting, the Rouble sliding on an almost daily basis, and rising sovereign debt yields, the outlook for the Russian economy seems bleak. The ramifications for wealthy Russian individuals are scarcely any more positive: de-offshorisation and new tax regimes are being introduced, some from the Russian diaspora in the UK are now receiving letters asking them to account for and explain the provenance of their wealth and many of them may soon be called upon by Moscow to use their assets to help prop up the State. The threat of prosecutions, including via INTERPOL for those Russians living overseas, looks increasingly like it will become a reality.

Those advising Russian clients based in the UK or elsewhere may find themselves encountering abusive Red Notices issues by INTERPOL, which are used as a means to secure the arrest and return of wanted persons. They have far reaching and potentially indefinite consequences for the subject of the notice, and can also be used when extradition requests have been defeated. They can even be used when the subject is recognised as a political refugee.

Doughty Street Chambers, noted by Fair Trials International as one of only four organisations of lawyers offering advice relating to INTERPOL, hopes you may be interested in attending a seminar exploring the workings of INTERPOL Red Notices, particularly as they might impact on Russian clients. Our panel of barristers, all of whom have experience challenging such notices and some of whom are fluent Russian speakers (having lived and worked in Russia), will outline how and why they are used, and the steps you should take if you encounter one issued against your client. We will also offer practical guidance on how to mount a challenge to a Red Notice, as well as looking at the powers of asset seizure by HMRC and other agencies which may impact on your clients.

The seminar will be held in our offices at 54 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LS. Registration will be from 6pm, with the talks starting at 6.15pm followed by a Q&A and open discussion run under Chatham House rules. We hope you will be able to stay afterwards for some drinks, food and networking.

UPDATE 17th MARCH: Owing to some cancellations, we have a small number of spare places. If you would like to attend please e-mail us.

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